Wisdom teeth typically cross-the-finish-line during late adolescence or early adulthood around the ages of 17 to 25.
There's some mystery and lack of understanding relative to wisdom teeth. Their position on the oral health landscape gets more press when issues arise.
Before covering some of those issues and available solutions it could help to get acquainted with your wisdom teeth.
The purpose and position of wisdom teeth
You can thank your wisdom teeth for their dietary support. Their position in your mouth allows them to provide chewing support that can positively affect your digestive health.
Though supportive by design, their development timing can create space issues when they begin to emerge.
Wisdom teeth typically show up in your late teens or early twenties. Complications can occur when your mouth, jaw, or surrounding teeth aren't prepared to accommodate the growth of your wisdom teeth.
Common problems experienced by wisdom teeth
Impaction
Impacted wisdom teeth are basically the result of there not being enough space for them to fully emerge or develop properly.
When impaction occurs you could experience a variety of dental issues.
• Mouth, gum, and/or jaw pain
• Infection, cysts, or tumors
• Damage to surrounding teeth
• Tooth crowding
• Tooth misalignment
Misalignment
Problems occur when the size of your wisdom teeth override the available space in your jaw.
Again, impaction best defines this condition. The further issues associated with your wisdom teeth typically lead to their misalignment and a related effect on your adjacent teeth.
Misaligned wisdom teeth can push your other teeth out of alignment and cause ongoing pain and discomfort.
Not all wisdom teeth cause problems but when they do you have options.
Treatment solutions for problem wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth extraction
This is the most common solution to treat impacted, damaged, and problem wisdom teeth.
An extraction can provide:
• Relief from pain and discomfort
• Prevention of further complications to your jaw, gums, and surrounding teeth